Student Assessments of Early Childhood Caries in Some Informal Settlements of Cape Town: A 10-Year Series of Cross-Sectional Studies.

Aim: To assess Early Childhood Caries by measuring the dmft, Significant Caries Index (SiC), pufa, and caries-free status in informal settlements outside Cape Town, South Africa over a 10-year period.

Method: A series of cross-sectional studies over a 10-year period (2009-2019). Surveys were carried out in preschools in informal settlements. A total of 5090 children aged from 1 to 5 years of age were examined.

Results: For 1- to 3-year-olds, the mean dmft was 4.33 ± 1.55, and for 4- and 5-year-olds, it was 6.34 ± 1.48. The difference in dmft for 1- to 3-year-olds increased but did not differ statistically between 2009 and 2019. For 4-5 years old, there was an increase over time. For 1- to 3-year-olds, the mean pufa was 0.34 ± 0.28, and for 4- to 5-year-olds, it was 0.63 ± 0.59. For 1- to 3- and for 4- to 5-year-olds, there was a statistically significant, lower pufa 2009-2019. For 1- to 3-year-olds, the mean SiC was 11.0 ± 2.35, and for 4- to 5-year-olds, it was 12.05 ± 1.89. There was a difference in SiC for 1-3 and for 4- to 5-year-olds, which was higher but did not differ statistically 2009-2019. Among 1- to 3-year-olds, 32.1% were assessed as caries-free. Among 4- to 5-year-olds, 16.0% were caries-free. There was a statistically significant, lower number of caries-free 1- to 3-year-old and 4- 5-year-old children 2009-2019.

Conclusions: The mean dmft has been found to be continuously high from 2009 to 2019. The SiC score remained unchanged, whereas pufa was significantly lower. The frequency of caries-free children was lower over time.